Happy Wednesday, Everyone!
I hope you are all in fine fettle!
(I don’t actually know what fettle is… it sounds like kettle, so maybe it means you’re well stoked up on tea… though hopefully not so much so that you have that sloshy feeling, the technical term for which – according to me and my best friend in 6th grade – is “joggling” 🙂 But it also sounds like fete, so maybe it means you’re partying. Partying or tea-a-plenty, either option seems good on a cold January day :))
Whatever condition your fettle is in I’m glad you’re here 🙂
(That sounds like it should either be a line from a Broadway show tune, or the end of a Mr. Rogers song, don’t you think? We should work on that… :))
Anyhoo . . . Let’s get on with our regularly scheduled programming, shall we?
First off, I’m happy to announce that the winner of the November Pitch Pick (in an exceptionally tight race, I might add – very, very close this month!) is Heather with her pitch for Hubert’s Dreadful Allergies! Wahoo! Congratulations, Heather! Your pitch has already been sent to Erin Molta for her thoughts, and I’m sure you’ll hear from her soon.
And congratulations as always to ALL our pitchers for bravely putting themselves out there and sharing truly fabulous pitches! Is it just me, or do you all agree that the overall quality of the pitches has steadily improved since the early days of Would You Read It? Seriously, I think everyone does such a good job!
Phew! After all that excitement, I think we need . . .
Something Chocolate!!!
Today’s Something Chocolate is not so much chocolate as Something Caramel – although you could (and should!) quickly remedy that with a drizzle of hot fudge sauce 🙂 But I thought we should go healthy this morning, what with it being January and a time for new beginnings and all… 🙂
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| Recipe HERE |
YUM!
Now that we’re all full of healthy apples (and possibly slightly less healthy caramel, and hopefully also a healthy dose of hot fudge sauce :)) let’s get right down to WYRI!
Today’s pitch comes to us from Michele who says, “I can’t promise that a long time policy work and public relations professional can succeed in the world of picture book making. But I can promise that she will try!”
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: Hoot And Holly
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: When Holly finds the orphaned owlet Hoot in a windswept field near home, she knows he won’t survive without her help. Together, Hoot and Holly forge an unlikely friendship as Holly cares for the baby owl until he can care for himself. Hoot & Holly is a story about growing up and saying goodbye. It blends the emotion of an Alison McGhee story with the sweet fun of impossible friend stories like Sophie’s Squash, Peep, and Fly Away Home (film). Like Flora & Ulysses, Hoot & Holly celebrates the special bond between humans and animals. It’s a love story with a realistic end that will resonate with people of all ages.
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
Michele is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! Phyllis and I are off to an author visit today, so I am looking forward to that! And Phyllis wants you all to know, in case you are wondering, that she is in VERY fine fettle! 🙂
Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!!! 🙂
P.S. This just in! Important Hare-Brained Scheme Announcement in a special edition blog post tomorrow!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Thanks, Tracy! It was lovely! And thanks for your comment for Michele 🙂
Thanks for your very helpful suggestions for Michele, Nancy! 🙂
The first two sentences are a yes for me. I'm not of a fan of the comp titles. I've put very specific picture books titles in a query letter, but not in a pitch. I believe specific titles that match your book are best for those sections. Just listing an author could distract an editor or agent by trying to think of “which one” you think is a comp. Best of luck. We are on a school delay tomorrow, so I can hopefully read the hare-brained scheme announcement early.
I would read this. I like the idea of it. I don't know if I can add anymore to the previous comments. 🙂
Yum! Carmel! Apples! YAY! 😀
Thanks Stacy! Thanks to Susanna and all of you, I've got a stronger pitch AND a stronger query letter! Bonus.
Thanks Erik!
I'm sure for Ms. Norman it's enough to know you like the idea, Erik 🙂
First I'd like to congratulate Heather on her win for Hubert's Dreadful Allergies. Another Wed. past, and another Wed. worked. This weeks pitch read so beautifully, I would definitely read it. I love the title, and the first few lines of the pitch drew me right into that 'windswept field'. I agree with some of the other comments that the comparisons are not necessary for the pitch, and as a consumer I don't like comparisons in general, each story should stand on their own (IMHO). Maybe a little more detail in the pitch about what it is that Holly does to help Hoot, and what leads to their goodbye, but otherwise a big YES from me.
I really like this approach because it concisely describes the story and the comparisons bring it to life. I would want to read it 🙂
Thank you so much for your very helpful comments for Michele, Jean! And I'm sorry your story didn't win the pitch pick – it was very good, but it was an exceptionally tight race! 😦
Late to chime in, but would definitely read it! Love the title so much! I agree about the book comparisons not being needed, but they would not stop me from reading it!
The apple carmel bit of happiness looks heavenly, btw. So yummy and clearly good for us!
Thanks so much for your comments for Michele, Bekah! And I'm glad you like today's healthy snack 🙂
Thanks so much for chiming in for Michele, Donna! I'm sure she'll be thrilled that you like her pitch! 🙂
Thrilled?! lol That made me laugh, Susanna 🙂
Donna Marie — Thanks so much for reading and commenting on the pitch for Hoot & Holly! This forum has been so helpful and I'm so glad you would read my story!
Best to you from snowy (but oh so happy SuperBowl central) Boston!
Bekah! So sorry for the delay in sending a big THANKS! for reading and offering your feedback! So glad you would read Hoot & Holly and appreciate the feedback about the comparisons. Best to you!
Michele
Hahahaha Joanne! 🙂